My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 231

That strangely familiar, almost rehearsed tone...

The smile faded from Emily Blair’s face as she looked away, her amusement gone.

Andrew Lane, meanwhile, pressed a small charm into the old woman’s hand. “I’m not buying it. Take it back,” he said firmly.

The old woman clutched the charm with both hands, eyeing Andrew warily. “I won’t take it back. You’ve already held it, so it’s working on you now. It won’t work for anyone else. You have to pay for it.”

Andrew just shrugged, unimpressed. “Then I’ll just throw it away.”

He made a show of tossing the charm aside.

The old woman gasped, horrified, and snatched the charm from his hand. “What are you doing? Give it back!”

Andrew let her take it, pulling his hand away at just the right moment.

Emily, realizing she wouldn’t be able to swindle money out of him, pursed her lips and turned her gaze elsewhere, silent.

The old woman cradled the charm, patting it as if to soothe it, then glared at Andrew with exasperation. “You, young man. You’re so handsome, but what a way to behave! If you don’t want it, fine. But do you have to be so rude? Where are your manners?”

Emily could barely keep herself from nodding in agreement.

Yes, exactly, she thought. Give him an earful, go on!

The old woman took a few angry breaths, then added, “You have no idea what you’re missing out on.”

“If you buy this charm, you can use it yourself or give it as a gift. As long as it’s bought and gifted with a sincere heart, its power will double. The person you give it to will recover in no time.”

“Honestly, talking to you two is a waste of my breath. You don’t know quality when you see it!”

Emily arched a brow and let out a soft, cynical laugh.

But then, unexpectedly, Andrew spoke up. “Double the effect?”

The old woman’s eyes lit up, a crafty glint flickering across her face. “That’s right. Especially if you give it to the one you love most—its power will double and double again. I guarantee they’ll be out of the hospital in three days, tops.”

Andrew fell silent, his expression unreadable.

Emily shot him a suspicious glance.

His eyes were dark and distant, lips pressed in a thin line as he stared quietly at the charm in the old woman’s hand, lost in thought.

The old woman sensed a change and instantly swapped her disgruntled look for a sweet, ingratiating smile. “Sir, I’m telling the truth. Maybe you should reconsider.”

She glanced over at Emily, her eyes glinting with calculation.

Emily felt an odd discomfort under that gaze.

Sure enough, the old woman continued, “This young lady must be your girlfriend, right? She’s so lovely. What a pity she’s stuck here in the hospital.”

She cast a regretful look at Emily’s hospital gown.

“Listen, sir. Why not buy the charm and give it to her? She’ll be up and about in no time.”

Emily bristled, every nerve on edge. She was just about to blurt out that she wasn’t Andrew’s girlfriend when he cut her off, his tone even: “Alright. I’ll take it.”

Emily’s expression froze.

A few seconds passed before her eyes dropped to the charm still clutched in his palm.

Her lashes flickered. “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

She turned, but Andrew’s voice stopped her. “Emily Blair, what’s with your attitude?”

Emily spun back, undeterred, and nodded toward the charm in his hand. “If you’ve got time to argue with me, maybe you should just take your two-hundred-dollar charm to Isabella Austin right now. Who knows? Maybe she’ll be out of here by tonight, thanks to your magic trinket.”

She honestly hadn’t expected Andrew to go through with it.

There was no way he didn’t realize the charm was a scam, but for Isabella Austin’s sake, he’d forked over an inflated price for a worthless token.

Emily’s gaze was sharp with scorn.

She could still hear the old woman’s words: Especially if you give it to the one you love most—its power will double and double again. I guarantee they’ll be out of the hospital in three days.

Andrew Lane, the hopeless romantic.

Without waiting for a reaction, Emily turned on her heel and walked away.

She lingered downstairs for a while before heading back up.

As she passed through the corridor, she saw Andrew at the far end, pushing Isabella Austin’s wheelchair. Isabella sat quietly, the yellow charm in her hands, her smile gentle and serene.

Emily stood there watching for a long time, her eyes stinging, before she finally looked away.

Her face was calm as she turned and left.